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basa
History
On June 26, 1969, more than 400 of Ohio’s school administrators gave a
resounding vote of confidence to a new administrative organization – Buckeye
Association of School Administrators. The willingness of Ohio’s administrators to
band together for the common good of public education spoke eloquently for
the future. A confirmation ballot mailed to school administrators showed a vote of
663-14 in favor of the new administrators’ organization. BASA’s first executive direc-
tor was Harold Sebold, and its first president was Bill Fox.
One year after BASA was chartered, active membership was 630 and overall
membership was 875. The foundation for a strong and growing administration
group had been laid.
Today BASA has 759 active members and 1225 total members. Members
include superintendents, assistant superintendents, directors, principals, university
professors and department heads, state department personnel, graduate students,
and service members. Membership categories include active, associate, graduate,
honorary, institutional, partners, retired, affiliate, and lifetime members.
We’ve come a long way since 1969. We now have a staff of nine full- and
part-time persons, legal counsel on retainer, and an executive committee led by a
president, president-elect, past president, and directors from all 10 BASA regions.
BASA also has 16 working committees in which members actively participate.
Since Harold Sebold, five other executive directors have led BASA: John Hauck
(1973-1986), Rod Rice (1986-1999), Dick Maxwell (2000-2005), Dr. Jerry Klenke
(2005-2010) and currently Dr. Kirk Hamilton.
Michael Tefs, superintendent of Wooster City Schools is our 45th president,
Michael Lamb, superintendent of Shawnee Local Schools is our president elect.
With strong leadership, actively involved members and a dedicated passion to
support public education in Ohio, BASA will continue to thrive in the years to come.
As we enter into our 45th year of membership, we can look to the past and be
proud of the progress we’ve made and know that as educational leaders united,
we can make a difference for Ohio’s students.
“BASA is embarked in a venture that sparkles with possibilities. Only the member-
ship controls the destiny of our new organization. Faith and action will make dreams
become realities. The time for both is now.” – Harold Sebold, BASA Executive Director,
1969-1973
ASSOCIATION INFORMATION